Jerry Chau will carry the hopes of Hong Kong, China into the Riyadh Dirt Sprint on Saturday night, bidding to add another international chapter to a career already marked by breakthrough success abroad. The 2025 G3 Korea Sprint-winning rider partners Self Improvement at King Abdulaziz Racecourse, returning to the global stage with quiet confidence and a sense of pride.
For Chau, this latest assignment in the G2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint (1200m, dirt) represents more than another overseas ride. It is a third opportunity to represent his home jurisdiction beyond Asia — and one he embraces wholeheartedly.
“It’s my honour to represent Hong Kong (China) around the world,” Chau said. “It’s really helpful for me to gain more experience. I will give my all and put my heart into this trip.”
His partnership with Self Improvement delivered a landmark moment last September in Seoul. Their determined victory in the Korea Sprint — Chau’s first overseas win outside his formative training stint in Australia — remains fresh in his memory.
“It was amazing, and the crowd was cheering for me. We beat the Japanese horse Chikappa — he’s very good. We fought to the end. I am grateful — thank you to trainer Manfred Man and owner Mr Wong.”
Riyadh Dirt Sprint: A Stern International Test
Saturday’s Riyadh Dirt Sprint presents a different order of challenge. The six-year-old Self Improvement will confront seasoned dirt performers from North America, long regarded as the epicentre of elite sprinting on the surface. Among them are Bob Baffert’s Imagination and Group 1 winner Lovesick Blues, adding depth and quality to an already formidable field.
Drawn in barrier eight, Self Improvement enters the 1200-metre dash in peak condition. The son of Deep Field sharpened his preparation with a front-running trial at Sha Tin on 29 January, covering 1200m on dirt in 1m 09.78s. The performance suggested readiness and continued progression from a horse who has now amassed earnings of HK$12 million for owners Wong Chung Yin, Wong Lai Ngor and Wilson Wong.
“He looks like he is really ready for the race after his last trial. Hopefully, he runs well,” Chau said. “He’s improved a lot after winning in South Korea. He’s more mature, but I think he loves to travel — he will enjoy the trip to Saudi Arabia.”
Hong Kong’s Quiet Dirt Legacy
While Hong Kong is celebrated globally for its turf stars, its record on alternative surfaces has produced memorable moments. Rich Tapestry famously defeated Goldencents in the 2014 G1 Santa Anita Sprint Championship on dirt. Sterling City struck in the Dubai Golden Shaheen on tapeta the same year, and Super Jockey dominated the 2016 Korea Sprint. More recently, Romantic Warrior ran a gallant second in the 2025 G1 Saudi Cup, underscoring the region’s adaptability on dirt.
Self Improvement now becomes only the second Hong Kong, China-trained runner to compete in Saudi Arabia after Romantic Warrior. His Korea Sprint triumph — achieved in decisive fashion against Chikappa, who later finished second in last year’s renewal — showed his ability to rise beyond expectations on foreign soil.
The Riyadh Dirt Sprint, inaugurated in 2020, has quickly established itself as one of the premier six-furlong contests on the international calendar. Previous winners include New York Central, Copano Kicking, Dancing Prince, Elite Power, Remake and Straight No Chaser.
Saturday night’s race, scheduled for 10.40pm (HKT), promises another searching examination. For Chau and Self Improvement, it is both a test and an opportunity — to prove once again that Hong Kong’s talent travels well.
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